Growing up we called it the “Mennonite game.” Within a short span of meeting someone new, we somehow managed to find a connecting relative within a massive tangle of roots.
When one of our daughters was in college, she spent some months in Africa where a simple greeting turned into a rather long and involved questioning. The usual back and forth asked about the well-being of family members, community, and even ancestors. Like the Mennonite game with an African twist.
Relationships are well worth the time spent establishing them.
In the teeming spread of city life, we aren’t expected somehow to be rooted together through great aunts and uncles. Yet, even here, it comes out in other ways. The school we attended, a commonality in career, a similar status or enjoyment. The great who-is-related-to-who-by-whom of my growing up has finally, after my own long years, begun to make more sense.Relationships are well worth the time spent establishing them. Share on X
I can appreciate how those intertwined family trees wove a familial tapestry. They were threads that brought connection. Ties that brought relationship.
“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham.” Matthew 1:1 (NKJV)
This is the way Matthew, inspired by God, broke a thundering silence of 400 years which separated the Old Testament’s final events and prophecies from the New Testament. Former tax-collector, disciple and follower of Jesus, Matthew took his pen to parchment and introduced something so powerfully earth changing … with genealogy?
An author labors over the first sentence of the book he or she births. It needs to draw the reader into the story. It must evoke promise. And it has to lay a foundation. It keeps the writer awake at night with its need for punch and precision.
The Family Tree Before the Manger
I’ve never found the lists of great aunts and uncles, fifth cousins, or long gone great-great-great relations, whether my own or another’s, to be particularly stimulating. Yet, God deemed them essential to the Christmas story.
An amazing story filled with such explosive elements as supernatural beings, conspiratorial plots, murder of children, the virgin birth, all began with lists of people. Most of them long dead when Matthew penned their names. All of them less than perfect.
Matthew’s Greek word for “genealogy,” was the same as the word “Genesis.” The first man and woman in Genesis marred God’s perfect creation. Matthew, with his account unfolds a new beginning. New hope.
God designed one life after another, all connected to a baby in a manger. Layered generations position Jesus exactly where God foreordained Him to be as Savior and King.
“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham,” wrote Matthew. (Matthew 1:1 NKJV)
The name, Jesus, means “Yahweh (God) saves.” It was His everyday name, like yours.
“Christ,” comes from the Old Testament Hebrew, (Mashiakh), a title meaning “anointed.” The Messiah had long been prophesied as the Righteous Ruler, the Anointed One, who would one day victoriously take David’s throne.
“The Son of David” places Him in rightful lineage as David’s royalty.
“The Son of Abraham,” points back to God’s covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3; 22:18). This unconditional covenant established Israel as a chosen people. It also promised that through the line of Abraham a Messiah would come, and with Him, a New Covenant through which all the world would be blessed.
This is how Matthew began his book. With a list of names, some recognizable, others obscure, he unwraps the Christmas story. Men and women, Jews and Gentiles, adulterers, prostitutes, those heroic, and others not so much, rich and poor, these comprised the genealogy of the first chapter of Matthew.
Jesus is the Savior of all who come to Him.
Each piece of the puzzle, divinely purposed invites us into our own genesis, a new beginning with Jesus Christ as Savior.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)
A New King is born. Christmas has come.
Gina Castell
Sure glad I’m in His family now. God bless and happy holidays! ❤️ G 🙌
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you Gina! It is a wonderful reality! Merry Christmas!
Katherine M Pasour
Genealogy interests me. My parents were into it and I got a dose of it biologically and environmentally. But like you, I’ve wondered why Matthew started his Gospel that way. We are prducts of our heredity and our environment and the ancestry of Jesus is important to who He is and the man He became. Thank you, Sylvia. Merry Christmas!
Sylvia Schroeder
Thanks Katherine! I always appreciate your thoughts. My parents enjoyed genealogy too. The bug really didn’t hit me when I was younger, but it has become more meaningful to me now, and I see so much of it in Scripture. Thanks for sharing, and Merry Christmas!
Rosi Pahl
Thank you for giving fresh insight into the oft shunned genealogy. And thank you for this gift you give us every Wednesday- as anticipated as the gifts under the 🎄tree! May you have a meaningful Christmas♥️
Sylvia Schroeder
Rosi, thanks so much! I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!
Nancy Ruegg
Thank you, Sylvia, for drawing attention to the genealogy of Jesus. It wasn’t just important to first century believers of Jewish heritage; it’s important to us today, for all the reasons you mentioned. And praise God for the new beginning he graciously offers to each of us!
Sylvia Schroeder
Thanks Nancy! I’ve often been guilty of tuning out as I read the lists, but you are so right, they are important. They are a part of God’s inspired Word, and purposeful too. Merry Christmas Nancy!
Barbara Latta
Even though some of these names are difficult to read, it is essential that God put them there to show the fulfilled promise. No one could debate where Jesus came from. Merry Christmas, Sylvia!
Sylvia schroeder
Merry Christmas Barbara!
Marcy Giesbrecht
All those in the genealogy where waiting for His coming, as we are waiting for Him to come again. Blessed Christmas Sylvia.
Sylvia schroeder
I am certainly ready!! Merry Christmas Marcy!
Gladys King
Thank you for sharing the insights about our wonderful Merciful Savior Jesus! Thanks be to God for His Indescribable to Corinthians 9:15! JESUS
Merry Christmas
Sylvia Schroeder
Amen Gladys! Thank you. His is an indescribable gift! Merry Christmas!